Design methods capture key procedural knowledge, central to design process, practice, and education. However, a more robust explanation of the method phenomenon is needed. We move towards answering this need by proposing, and quantitatively testing, a Method Content Theory; addressing i) how methods function in context; ii) the elements of method content i.e. Method Framing, Method Rationale, Method Goal, Method Procedure, and Method Mindset; and iii) predictors of method performance. We provide initial quantitative validation for the proposed theory demonstrating strong predictive power for methodological performance indicators. We build on this to define a future research agenda. Our results have implications for research, education and practice, along with the potential for actionable insights in design methodology, method development and validation.

设计方法捕获了关键的过程知识，这些知识是设计过程，实践和教育的核心。但是，需要对方法现象进行更可靠的解释。我们通过提出并定量测试方法内容理论来满足这一需求。解决i）方法如何在上下文中起作用；ii）方法内容的元素，即方法框架，方法原理，方法目标，方法过程和方法心态；iii）方法性能的预测指标。我们为提出的理论提供了初步的定量验证，证明了对方法性能指标的强大预测能力。我们以此为基础来定义未来的研究议程。我们的研究结果对研究，教育和实践具有重要意义，并且在设计方法论方面具有可行的见解的潜力，